Best FPL midfielders for 2026/27: a complete guide

The biggest shift in FPL midfield value this season is not about goals. It is about the new DefCon and BPS changes that make defensive midfielders a serious option again. Last season, the top ten DefCon scorers were split between centre-backs and defensive midfielders, with Elliot Anderson leading the league at 52 points. That is a real source of points that most managers have not priced in yet.

If you are building your initial squad, you need to decide where to spend your midfield budget. The data from last season gives a clear picture of who overperformed, who did not, and which players are likely to hold their value under the new rules.

The premium midfield dilemma

Bruno Fernandes is the only midfielder priced above 10.0m in the data, coming in at 12.0m. He scored 235 points, second only to Haaland among all players. But look at the underlying numbers. Fernandes scored 9 goals from 10.79 xG, slightly underperforming. His 24 assists came from 12.28 xA -- that is nearly double the expected figure. Regression is likely. He also played 3,065 minutes, which is high but not outlier level. At 12.0m, you are paying for a captaincy option who may not repeat his assist luck.

Compare that to a forward like Haaland at 15.5m who scored 27 goals from 25.50 xG, more sustainable. The premium midfield slot is a tough sell unless you believe Fernandes can maintain the assist rate. I would argue he is not worth the premium over a pair of 8.5m midfielders who can outscore him combined.

The value midfielders: Semenyo, Gibbs-White, Rogers, Wilson

Antoine Semenyo at 8.5m is the standout value pick. He scored 17 goals from 11.10 xG, outperforming expectation by nearly six goals. That is a remarkable conversion rate, but his minutes (3,200) and 6 assists suggest he is a reliable starter who gets chances. He plays for Bournemouth, a side that finished mid-table, so fixture swings are manageable. At 22.6% ownership, he is widely owned already, but that is for good reason.

Morgan Gibbs-White at 8.0m scored 15 goals from 10.81 xG, another overperformer. He also had 4 assists, lower than expected. His 188 points came from 3,101 minutes. Nottingham Forest are not a top side, but Gibbs-White is their talisman. He is a differential at 11.6% ownership.

Morgan Rogers at 7.5m scored 10 goals from 6.84 xG, plus 8 assists. He plays for Aston Villa, a team that finished in the top four. At 29.9% ownership, he is popular. His 169 points are solid for the price. Harry Wilson at 6.5m scored 10 goals from 5.88 xG and 9 assists, overperforming significantly. He is a risk to revert, but at that price, the upside is worth it.

The DefCon differentials and budget enablers

Defensive midfielders are now a distinct category because of DefCon. Elliot Anderson at 6.5m had 4 goals and 5 assists, but led the league in DefCon with 52 points. That contributed to his 180 total points. He is a cheap fifth midfielder who can deliver steady points without attacking returns. Declan Rice at 7.5m had 4 goals and 9 assists, plus 184 points. He played 3,093 minutes and is a key part of Arsenal's defence. His 18 clean sheets are a factor. Dominik Szoboszlai at 7.0m scored 6 goals and 7 assists, 160 points, but his underlying numbers (4.76 xG, 6.83 xA) suggest he could improve. He is in 47% of teams, so a popular enabler.

These players are not going to haul 20-point gameweeks, but they provide a floor. Under the new BPS tweaks, attacking midfielders get a slight boost from reduced overlap with DefCon, and the removal of "save from outside the box" metric for keepers does not affect midfielders directly. The key is that DefCon points are capped at 2 per match, so no midfielder can get more than 2 points per game from defensive actions. That makes the pure defensive midfielder less valuable than a box-to-box player who also gets goals.

How rule changes affect midfielders

The 2026/27 season brings a few changes that specifically impact midfielders. DefCon remains unchanged from last season, which means midfielders need 12 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions, recoveries, and tackles (CBIRT) to earn 2 points, capped at 2 per match. This is a reliable source of points for players like Anderson and Rice who rack up recoveries. The BPS tweak reduces overlap between BPS and DefCon, so attacking midfielders may get more bonus points than before. The new BPS also adds +1 for saving a big chance (for goalkeepers) but not for outfield players. The live feature showing projected bonus points after 20 minutes is useful for watching your players' bonus potential.

Chips are unchanged: eight chips in two sets of four, with the first set needing to be used before Gameweek 19. That has no direct impact on midfielders, but it means you should plan your Triple Captain for a midfielder with a good fixture. Bruno Fernandes, for example, had 41 bonus points last season, which is high. Triple captaining him in a double gameweek could be a strategy.

Key takeaways

• Bruno Fernandes at 12.0m is overpriced relative to his expected assists; his 24 assists from 12.28 xA is unsustainable.
• Antoine Semenyo at 8.5m is the best value midfielder, with 17 goals from 11.10 xG and 202 points.
• Elliot Anderson at 6.5m is a unique DefCon specialist; his 52 DefCon points were league best.
• Morgan Rogers at 7.5m offers a balanced attacking output with 10 goals and 8 assists for Aston Villa.
• The new BPS tweaks give a slight edge to attacking midfielders, but the core scoring system remains the same.

FAQ

Which FPL midfielder is most likely to get bonus points?

Bruno Fernandes earned 41 bonus points last season, the highest among midfielders in the data. His combination of goals, assists, and key passes drives BPS. However, his high ownership means you pay a premium.

Is Elliot Anderson a good pick for the first few gameweeks?

Yes, especially if you need a budget midfielder. Anderson scored 180 points at 6.5m, and his DefCon points provide a reliable floor. He is a low-risk enabler for more expensive forwards.

How does the new DefCon rule affect midfielders?

Midfielders need 12 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions, recoveries, and tackles (CBIRT) to earn 2 points per match, capped at 2. Defensive midfielders like Anderson and Rice benefit most, but pure attacking midfielders rarely get close to 12 actions.

Should I pick Semenyo or Gibbs-White?

Semenyo had 17 goals to Gibbs-White's 15, and both overperformed xG. Semenyo is cheaper at 8.5m vs 8.0m (actually same price? Semenyo 8.5, Gibbs-White 8.0, so Semenyo is more expensive). The data favours Semenyo for goals, but Gibbs-White is a differential at 11.6% ownership. Pick based on your budget and team structure.

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Internal links: Bruno Fernandes, Antoine Semenyo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Arsenal, Manchester United